Live Review: PREMIERE: Tashka 'Taken'

Having featured on the vocals for Loudun’s lighter-than-air track ‘Gold’, low-key Sydneysider TASHKA returns with another sample of bubble-pop in the form of her first solo single ‘Taken’. You can listen to it for the very first time here!

There’s a Blood Orange-esque tropical xylophone beat that eases us into the understated track, with shuffly Cyril Hahn-y drums and deep distortion, whilst hints of AlunaGeorge show through in terms of husky vocal performance and melodies. There’s some fun house-y synths along the lines of Flower Drums, but here Tashka pushes them to the background so as not to overwhelm her distinctly girl pop sound.

With clear influences from classic soul, R’n’B and garage music, Tashka offers a welcome addition to this burgeoning Aussie take on the electronic scene - a bit like Sydney's answer to the soulful Solange. There’s vocal quirks and high-notes a la Mariah, Ashanti, Ciara or any other of your favourite 90s soulstresses, and sassy finger snaps straight out of Step Up.

The song itself has a very simple structure, but the tight production and layering of samples ensures it remains an interesting listen. This has turned into a platter of ‘sounds a bit likes’, so do yourself, and me, a favour and go listen for yourself.

Words by Katie Rowley

LISTEN TO MORE MUSIC HERE

SEE ALSO

LOUDUN FT. TASHKA 'GOLD'

FLOWER DRUMS '28 MANSIONS' EP